TIM SHERWOOD insists Ireland should not take offence over Jack Grealish's decision not to accept a first senior call-up.

Ireland boss Martin O'Neill was ready to include the Aston Villa midfielder in his squad for games against England and Scotland next month only to be left "disappointed."

Birmingham-born Grealish, 19, has represented Ireland at various youth levels and is their reigning Under-21 player of the year.

But England are also keen and the player took a year-long break from international football in the autumn to weigh up where to pledge his allegiance.

That did not deter O'Neill from a move to call up the in-form rising star - yet he was informed the teenager remains undecided and plans to stick to his original plan of a year-long sabbatical.

And Villa boss Sherwood, whose team can secure survival against Southampton on Saturday, said: “It’s not a slant on Ireland, England or anyone. He will make his decision. He’s good enough to play international football but he’s putting that on hold.

“I don’t think Jack didn’t want to play for Ireland, I don’t think he didn’t want to play for England or Brazil for that matter.

“That case was he was always going to decide on his international future at the end of this season.

“He’s got three very important games to take care of for Aston Villa. His concentration is fully on that.

“His international career will be put on hold. Jack hasn’t made his mind up what country he wants to represent.

The good news is they all want him.

“It’s a decision only Jack has to make in a cool, calm situation at the end of this season."

Grealish could have played against England in the June friendly without settling his international future once and for all - although it would have amounted to a controversial move - yet had he faced the Scots in the Euro 2016 qualifier that would have put an end to the debate.